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Why All the Locals Are Lounging in the Hotel Lobby

When Ted Copeland comes in for his coffee, the barista has his order (black, no sugar) ready. Then he sets up his laptop and lingers for a few hours over the caffeine and free Wi-Fi. Refills are free.

This definitely isn't Starbucks. This year, Mr. Copeland, a 33-year-old sales executive, moved his makeshift workspace to the Public, a boutique hotel in Chicago. Mr. Copeland, who is drawn to the working fireplace, the 18-foot ceilings and the electrical outlets galore in the hotel lobby. "Starbucks was always crowded,"...

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Hotel Lobbies Become the New Starbucks

Freelancers have taken to hotel lobbies instead of Starbucks. Hotels are courting them with long tables and lots of outlets because they like the ambiance of buzzy lobbies. Alina Dizik has details on Lunch Break. Photo: Sally Ryan for The Wall Street Journal.